2x4 or 2x6

By houseplanarchitect

I do a lot of modifications ot house plans that people buy on the net. The most common are changing the exterior walls to 2x6 and changing the foundation to a crawlspace, walk out basement, or full basement.

If you plan to stay in your house for a long time you should look at the energy savings possible with a 2x6 exterior wall, you can get a lot more insulation in there, and your heating / cooling load will go way down.

Changing the foundation that comes with " ready made" house plans is the next most common change.

If you decide to go for a crawlspace foundation consider the stairs up to your first floor level, at least 3 feet roughly ( 2 foot crawlspace plus one foot for your floor joists) - which means having 5 steps to your front door.

Sinking your crawlspace below the grade level is not allowed ion many places now, as it creates a swimming pool under your house in heavy rain situations. Mold!

A daylight basement means that one side of the basement is on grade, usually the back of the house.

The sides of the house will slope down to the grade at the back, usually 9 feet more or less, letting you put windows and doors across the back of the house. Walk out basements are constructed with poured in place concrete, reinforced concrete block, sip panels, and other ready made concrete wall systems.

Be sure to leave 8 inches from top of concrete wall to grade so the water doesnt have a way in.

Tagged:
changes and modifications to house _plans